Global Health Partnerships: Japan and Nigeria Working Together for Better Healthcare
Abara Erim and Ohanu Dabri Olohije (Lead Writer)
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
We are all connected, whether it be through shared experiences, common goals, or the complex network of relationships that link us together. This interconnectedness was made more apparent following the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic which reminded us of our collective responsibility to foster understanding, solidarity and cooperation in our increasingly interdependent world.
Within the global health sector, partnerships between countries have been instrumental in enhancing healthcare systems and outcomes, preventing diseases, and ensuring equitable access to medical advancements, especially for low- and middle-income countries. A great example of such cross-country collaboration is between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Japan has been working together with Nigeria to tackle some of the country’s most pressing health challenges since 2005 when JICA began dispatching experts to Lagos. This partnership mechanism’s initial focus was formulating strategies for maternal and child health improvement in Nigeria. Thereafter, from February 2010 to January 2014, a technical cooperation project aimed at community health improvement in Lagos was implemented, marking the beginning of a significant partnership. This project continued until March 2019, evolving to address broader health security needs in Nigeria.
“We started out by focusing on maternal and child health systems, but with the shift that occurred with the pandemic in the world, it highlighted a significant gap, and the gap showcased that we needed to be prepared in terms of pandemic preparedness, as it was very lacking for both the global South and global North. Based on that, JICA decided to support Nigeria in terms of health security from 2019.” ~ Konan, Saori — Project Formulation Advisor, Health
Disease prevention and preparedness
Japan’s financial support has been instrumental in driving tangible improvements in Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and service delivery. In recent years, Japan’s government has pledged substantial funding, including a $18.2 million commitment to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector through the provision of essential medical equipment and capacity-building initiatives.
The Federal Government and JICA signed an agreement to strengthen the diagnostic capacity of the country’s National Public Health Institute- Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) which would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks by establishing a Biosafety level 2 & 3 laboratories within the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Abuja and the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) in Lagos respectively. Since 2019, JICA has focused on constructing these BSL laboratories in Nigeria to enhance the country’s diagnostic capacity and strengthen in-country diagnostic capacity. These efforts were supported through “Grant Aid For Strengthening The Capacity Of Network Laboratories Of Nigeria Centre For Disease Control” project.
These laboratories will enable faster diagnosis and response to health threats, reducing the dependency on international laboratories for confirmation of diseases like Yellow Fever. Additionally, through the Technical Assistance (TA) for Strengthening Detection of and Response to Public Health Threats, JICA has consultants stationed at the NCDC providing technical support to the Centre.
The technical cooperation project started with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) from 2019, along with two grant aid projects, one in NRL and the other in CPHL Lagos. The objective was to construct biosafety laboratories in Nigeria so that the NCDC does not need to send samples for experiment confirmation to another country. Examinations can be done within Nigeria ~ Konan, Saori — Project Formulation Advisor, Health
Preparing the next generation
Capacity building is a cornerstone of Japan’s involvement in Nigeria’s health sector. JICA has been instrumental in developing the skills of Nigerian health professionals through various training programs. This includes the (Partnership for Building Resilience Against Public Health Emergencies Through Advanced Research and Education) PREPARE Programme, which offers master’s, Ph.D., and post-doctoral opportunities in Japanese universities for mid-level officers in the Nigerian health sector. Additionally, Japanese experts have supported the NCDC in developing quality management systems, lab operations, and monitoring and evaluation within the surveillance department.
“One thing JICA is strong about is capacity development. We sponsor mid-level officers within the health sector, including NCDC and NIMR, for master’s, Ph.D., and post-doc opportunities in universities in Japan. This is called The PREPARE Programme, which stands for Partnership for Building Resilience Against Public Health Emergencies Through Advanced Research and Education” ~ ADEWOLE, Ajibike — Program Coordinator, Health and Gender
Working together for progress
Japan, through JICA, collaborates with various international entities to enhance its health interventions in Nigeria. While many of JICA’s projects are independently funded by the Japanese Government, the agency actively seeks opportunities for co-financing and partnerships to maximise the impact of its initiatives. This collaborative approach ensures that JICA’s interventions are well-coordinated and aligned with broader global health goals.
Key partnerships include the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI), which address critical health challenges such as infectious diseases and immunisation and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which brings together public-sector, private-sector and academic partners to accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging viral threats. JICA’s co-financing and joint initiatives, like the $350 million loan agreement with the African Development Bank, leverage additional resources and expertise, enhancing the scope and effectiveness of health sector projects. JICA’s partnerships with organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are crucial for implementing comprehensive health programmes, particularly in regions affected by conflict and displacement.
These collaborations focus on improving healthcare access, constructing and rehabilitating facilities, and training healthcare workers. For instance, JICA and IOM have launched initiatives to improve healthcare access for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in north-eastern Nigeria, focusing on the construction and rehabilitation of healthcare facilities and training healthcare workers. JICA’s collaborative efforts are strategically aligned with global health goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The agency’s focus on maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and health system strengthening is in line with the global agenda for universal health coverage (UHC).
Stronger together
Global health partnerships have proven instrumental in enhancing public health infrastructure and outcomes. By pooling resources, expertise, and technology, countries can tackle health challenges more effectively than they could alone. The World Health Organization (WHO) has consistently advocated for such partnerships, emphasising their role in strengthening health systems and achieving UHC. These collaborations are aligned Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17, which advocates for revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development.
The synergy generated through international health partnerships such as the partnership between Japan and Nigeria through JICA exemplifies the adage “we are stronger together than apart.” This unity is crucial not only in pooling resources but also in sharing knowledge and innovative practices that can lead to sustainable health solutions across borders.
